Gypsophila plant named &#39;danfestar&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Gypsophila plant named ‘Danfestar’ characterized by being suitable for gardening outdoors, in containers and as a small sized cut flower; forms a flowering bush with a 10-15 inch spread in 2-3 months; compact dense branched plant with plenty of flowering stems; medium, semi-filled white flowers, early flowering, having a long lasting flowering flush; and perennial plant that will come back after winter.

[0001] Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed:

[0002]Gypsophila paniculata

[0003] Variety Denomination:

[0004] Danfestar; commercial denomination: Gypsophila cv. Festival Star

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofGypsophila plant, botanically known as Gypsophila paniculata,hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Danfestar’.

[0006] The new cultivar originated from a cross made in a controlledbreeding program in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The female parent ishybrid no. 589 (unpatented, proprietary cultivar). The male parent is anopen pollination. ‘Danfestar’ was discovered and selected by theinventor, Gabriel Danziger, as a flowering plant within the progeny ofthe stated cross in a controlled environment in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva,Israel.

[0007] Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by side shoot cuttingswas first performed in 1999 in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel and hasdemonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosedfor the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successivegenerations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true totype.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The following traits have been repeatedly observed and aredetermined to be basic characteristics of ‘Danfestar’ which incombination distinguish this Gypsophila as a new and distinct cultivar:

[0009] 1. Suitable for gardening outdoors, in containers and as a smallsized cut flower;

[0010] 2. forms a flowering bush of 10-15 inch spread in 2-3 months;

[0011] 3. compact dense branched plant with plenty of flowering stems;

[0012] 4. medium, semi-filled white flowers, early flowering, having along lasting flowering flush; and

[0013] 5. perennial plant that will come back after winter.

[0014] ‘Danfestar’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may varysignificantly with variations in environment such as temperature, lightintensity, and daylength without any change in the genotype of theplant. The following observations, measurements and values describe thenew cultivar as grown in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel under conditionswhich closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice.

[0015] Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor,the most similar in comparison to ‘Danfestar’ is the cultivar Gypsophilacv. ‘Happy Festival’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. PP9,711 under varietydenomination ‘Danghappy’. In comparison to ‘Danfestar’, ‘Happy Festival’has a more compact growth habit and dense inflorescence; smaller flowersthan those of ‘Danfestar’ and is better suited as a 4 inch pot plant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0016] The accompanying photographic drawings show a typical specimenplant of ‘Danfestar’, with colors as true as possible with illustrationsof this type. The first photographic drawing shows a flowering‘Danfestar’ bush in a 12 inch container (3 months from planting). Thesecond photographic drawing shows a flowering ‘Danfestar’ bush in agarden (2 months from planting).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0017] The following observations, measurements and values describe thenew cultivar as grown in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel under conditionswhich closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice.Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (RHS), except where general colors of ordinary significance areused. Color values were taken under daylight conditions at approximately12:00 pm in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The plants described are 8weeks from planting.

[0018] Optimal growing conditions of plant:

[0019] For outdoor gardening, plant in full sunlight starting earlyspring. The plant can overcome moderate winter growing outside. Forspring sales, plant at weeks 6-8 in a greenhouse in a 4 inch pot. Useartificial light to extend day time up to 16 houres during winter tostimulate flowering. Use light well drained soil. Irrigate and fertilizemoderately.

[0020] General observations:

[0021] ‘Danfestar’ is a heavily branched, round symmetrical bush,reaching a height of 30-50 cm; a large number of upright secondary stems(10-15 depending on growing conditions); develop and flower within ashort time and stay in bloom for more than a month, for each floweringcycle; white, semi-full flowers, depending on growing conditions, 5-6 mmin flower diameter, arranged densely in bunches at stem tips; no changesin color or distortions of the flower were noted.

[0022] Flowering stems can be picked for domestic use having a long vaselife. For outdoor gardening plant in full sunlight starting in earlyspring. This variety flowers within 6-7 weeks from planting in summerand 9-10 weeks during fall. Plants can overcome winter outside,flowering in early spring of the second year. Fully grown plants keepflowering even thorough moderate winter. Prune moderately at the end ofthe flowering flush, to renew growth and flowering.

[0023] Propagation: Stem Cutting.

[0024] Plant:

[0025]General appearance and form.—Height: 30-50 cm. Width: 30-40 cm.Habit: Bush. Form: Bush symmetrical, round and densely branched.Flowering response: During long day conditions. Flowering season:Summer, spring and fall. In winter with light supplement. Winterhardiness: Half hardy plant can withstand temperature down to 0° C.Lastingness of the individual bloom: 10-14 days. Rooting: Apply rootinghormone, keep wet, avoide direct sunlight. Fragrance: Typical ofGypsophila.

[0026] Foliage:

[0027]Overall shape of leaf.—Lanceolate.

[0028]Base.—Truncate.

[0029]Apex.—Acuminate.

[0030]Margin.—Entire.

[0031]Texture.—Rough.

[0032]Main color of upper surface.—Mature leaf: Green 137-C. Immatureleaf: Green 137-D.

[0033]Main color of lower surface.—Mature leaf: Green 137-C. Immatureleaf: Green 137-D.

[0034]Venation color.—None.

[0035]Leaf size.—Length: 4-5 cm. Width: 6-7 mm.

[0036]Stipules.—None.

[0037] Inflorescence:

[0038]Natural flowering season.—Long day.

[0039]Corolla.—Form/Shape: Rounded cup. Average number: Approximatelyone thousand per flowering stem. Size: 5-6 mm. Petal Number: 40-50 (Inlong day conditions with high light intensity). Petal shape: Spathulatewith emarginate tip. Petal markings: None. Dorsal petal shape: Roundedcup. Lateral petals shape: Rounded cup. Petal color: Upper surface:White 155-D. Lower surface: White 155-D.

[0040]Stem.—Average length: 40-50 cm. Average diameter: 2 mm. Color:Yellow-Green 144-B. Internode length: 2.5-3 cm. Spur: None.

[0041]Bud.—Response: Long day. Color: White 155-D. Size before opening:2 mm. Pedicel length: 8-9 mm. Pedicel color: Yellow-Green 144-B.

[0042]Reproductive organs observed.—Stigma: 2, Convex, white 155-D.Ovary: Color yellow-green 144-D. Fruit/Seed: None.

[0043] Disease resistance: No observations to date.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Gypsophila plant named ‘Danfestar’,substantially as illustrated and described herein.